The Rise of Chronic Diseases in Youth
Over the past two decades, an increase in chronic diseases and mental health disorders among teenagers and young adults has been observed worldwide. Recent research suggests that herbicides used in agricultural areas, including glyphosate, might play a role in these health issues.
Understanding Herbicides
Herbicides are substances used to control unwanted plants, eliminating specific types of weeds while sparing the desired crops, causing relatively little harm to them.
Mental Health in Teenagers
A study published in the “Environmental Health Perspectives” journal investigated the effects of two commonly used herbicides, glyphosate and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, on the mental health of teenagers. The study examined urine samples from 519 teenagers aged 11 to 17 living in the agricultural region of Pedro Moncayo in Ecuador. Researchers also assessed the participants’ neurobehavioral performance.
The researchers noted that higher concentrations of these chemicals in urine samples were associated with lower neurobehavioral performance in attention, control, memory, learning, and language, correlated with chemical exposure.
The Proliferation of Chemicals
Approximately 80,000 chemicals are currently used as herbicides, with hundreds of new ones introduced to the market each year. This calls for further scientific research to understand their short-term and long-term effects on the human body.
Kidney Diseases
Recent studies have raised concerns about the side effects of these chemicals, especially in rural areas like Sri Lanka. Over the past two decades, thousands of people in rural Sri Lanka have been diagnosed with unexplained chronic kidney disease, particularly affecting children.
Glyphosate as a Culprit
A large-scale field study, led by researchers from Duke University, has suggested that glyphosate may be responsible for this catastrophe. Glyphosate can infiltrate drinking water and react with magnesium and calcium ions, forming mineral clusters that can persist for up to seven years.
The study found significantly higher levels of herbicides in 44% of the affected areas’ wells compared to only 8% in unaffected areas.
Cancer Risk
Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides globally, commonly used in the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, corn, cotton, soybeans, sugar beets, wheat, and more. While it effectively eliminates unwanted weeds without harming crops and is cost-effective, concerns have been raised about its potential carcinogenicity.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies glyphosate as a possible human carcinogen, meaning it is not definitively carcinogenic but requires caution.
Ongoing Debate
The debate surrounding glyphosate continues. Some studies support a complete ban on its use, while others suggest safe usage. Countries like France, the Netherlands, and Belgium have banned glyphosate for household use, while Germany has restricted its use in public areas, with plans for a complete ban by the end of the year.
Colombia and El Salvador initially banned glyphosate but later rescinded the decision. Mexico has pledged to ban its use by 2024, while the Sri Lankan government attempted to ban it in 2015 but revoked the decision in 2021 due to insufficient scientific evidence.
the impact of glyphosate and other herbicides on human health, particularly in agricultural regions, remains a subject of ongoing research and debate. It is essential to continue studying and evaluating the potential risks associated with these chemicals to ensure the well-being of communities worldwide.
